Position Assignments

All students hold a primary labor position through which they fulfill their labor obligation. Primary positions, during academic terms (fall, spring, or summer) are assigned in increments of ten (10), twelve (12), fifteen (15) hours per week and (20) hours per week according to student interest and department allocation. Positions paid at WLS level 5 and 6 require a 15-hour commitment as well as some WLS level 4 positions. Students working a summer practicum position during the summer period can work up to 40 hours a week.

Upperclassmen

At the conclusion of the first year of placement, all upperclassmen are responsible with securing their own labor assignment for each remaining term. Once a position has been entered into the Banner system, the position remains in effect through the end of the following spring term unless special circumstances apply (e.g. mutual release before the Last Day to Change a Labor Position within a term, release for non-performance…). While the majority of position placements occur between supervisors and students, the Labor Program Office facilitates this process by sharing departmental descriptions, contact persons, posting vacancies, and connecting students with supervisors according to interest and qualification. If students are unable to locate suitable positions on their own, the Labor Program Office will ensure placement for them. A contracted position assignment is linked directly to registration. Students who have not secured a labor position will be unable to schedule their courses until a Labor Status Form has been submitted to the Labor Program and Student Payments Office.

Securing a New Position

All labor departments are required to have position descriptions which includes specifics of the work performed, the learning opportunities, and the desired qualifications. Labor departments use S.O.A.R. to post vacancies that may exist within a specific department. This resource is accessible on the myBerea portal.

Position descriptions are posted online in S.O.A.R. Students may explore position opportunities in consultation with their academic adviser, current labor supervisor, the Labor Program Office or the Office of Career Development. Once the desired position is identified, the student should contact the individual labor department to determine the appropriate application process. Some departments have position applications, while others prefer to review a resume. From there, the hiring process should closely resemble that of an off-campus job review of resumes, selection of candidates, interviews, reference checks, job offer, and commitment. Supervisors and students should approach the hiring process as they would in an off-campus setting. This helps supervisors identify the right person for the position and familiarizes students with an important process they will encounter after graduation.

While each department should have questions tailored to the needs of their workplace and to the requirements of the position, they may choose to draw from the following general questions when conducting an interview:

Why are you applying for this position?

What is your knowledge of this position?

What motivates you to do great work?

Describe a situation where you had to inspire others to perform better and to achieve greater goals.

What will your references tell me about your work ethic and performance?

Describe how you gain respect from your fellow workers.

What skills/abilities would you bring to this position?

What are your expectations for this position and from me as a supervisor?

What are you hoping to learn/achieve from this labor position?

How would you describe your personal style in the workplace?

What kind of workplace is most conducive to personal effectiveness for you?

At the end of the year, what would complete success in this labor position look like?

How does this position connect with your career/vocational aspirations?

For further guidance on conducting and participating in the interview process, supervisors and students may consult the Office of Career Development or the Labor Program Office Training and Assessment Specialist.

Retaining an Existing Position

It is not uncommon for supervisors to encourage their students to remain in a labor assignment from year to year, taking on additional responsibility or even a leadership role. In this case, it is still important to establish clear expectations and goals for the coming year for the new role. Students should not feel obliged to remain in a position if they prefer to pursue other opportunities once the position ends (as defined by the status form). Regardless, all essential documentation/forms must be completed in the appropriate time based on the academic calendar.

Labor Enrollment Agreement

Signed by each student upon entering Berea College, the Labor Enrollment Agreement outlines the expectations of the student and the College with regard to the Labor Program and serves as the student’s acknowledgement of work as a core requirement of enrollment and an integral/required part of their educational program. Below is the present version of the agreement:

Labor Enrollment Agreement

The Labor Program, a comprehensive Work-Learning-Service program, is an integral and stated part of Berea College’s educational philosophy and program. Upon entering Berea College, all students sign a Labor Enrollment Agreement outlining the basic commitments of the student and the College concerning the student’s required participation in the Labor Program. This agreement is completed one time and remains in effect for the entire period of enrollment.

Fulfill a first-year labor assignment as assigned by the College and, in subsequent years, to secure or accept a student labor position from among those available.

Work no less than ten (10) hours a week throughout the term for a cumulative total of at least 160 hours by the end of the term and adhere to the work schedule required by the position and arranged with the supervisor.

Have a completed and submitted Status Form (labor position participation agreement) for each position held, or for any change in position, as a supplement to the Labor Enrollment Agreement and as approved by the Labor Program and Student Payment Office.

Work all hours as defined by the status form(s) including adhering to the work schedule required by the position(s).

Secure approval for continuously working more than fifteen (15) hours per week, as specified in the labor overload approval process.

Secure approval for absences from work and arrange to make up hours in advance of the absence, if possible, and to immediately notify the supervisor of any unexpected absence.

Strive to meet duties, responsibilities, and standards required by the labor position as defined by the supervisor.

Complete Labor Experience Evaluation(s) for academic year.

THE COLLEGE AGREES TO:

Provide each registered student with opportunities for work-learning-service experiences fostering the goals of the Labor Program. Note: Summer practicum positions are dependent on department budgets and need.

Provide each registered student the opportunity to earn a work scholarship by working in the labor program. A portion of the scholarship, the Labor Grant, is applied directly to the full tuition scholarship. The remainder, a smaller portion, consists of direct payments based on hours worked.

Offer opportunities for advancement in skill and responsibility as defined by Work-Learning-Service levels.

Provide a Labor Transcript documenting the student’s participation, experience and performance in the program and to maintain labor records in accordance with general College policies and relevant legislation.

Conduct, using the “Student Labor Evaluation”, individual student work evaluations and to record final performance scores on the Labor Transcript.

Provide opportunity for students to evaluate their labor experience(s) by completing the “Labor Experience Evaluation”.

Conduct assessment at the supervisor, department, and program level to improve the educational and institutional value of the program.

Provide a labor grievance procedure whereby complaints can be resolved.

STUDENT STATEMENT

By signing, I agree to perform my labor assignments to the best of my ability. I understand and agree to the conditions set forth in this agreement. In addition, I am aware that failure to meet the requirements and conditions of this agreement can result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension. Also, I understand that this agreement is effective for the length of my enrollment and the signed document will be placed in my student file. A copy of the agreement can be requested/obtained through the Labor Program Office.

_______________________________________________Student Signature

______________________Date

________________________________________________Student Printed Name

Hour Contracts

During each academic term, students have the following hour expectation based on their contractual hours:

Contract

Total Hour Expectation

10 hour contract

160 total term hours

12 hour contract

180 total term hours

15 hour contract

225 total term hours

A Summer Assistance Grant is offered for students who meet the following requirements:

NOTE: The amount of Summer Assistance Grant may vary so check with Student Financial Aid for details.

The possible grant assistance is $250 for each four-week term or $500 for the eight week term.

Students must contract and work for 20 hours per week during the term to qualify for the grant. Only students who are contracted for 20 hours will be reviewed to see if they have met the requirements for labor.

Students who are under the 80 hours for the four-week term or 160 hours for the eight weeks will not receive the grant.

Students must not exceed 22 hours per week (average) during the terms to receive the grant (e.g., 4 weeks no more than 88 hours or 8 weeks no more than 176 hours).

Students must be registered and attending class for at least one credit during the four-week term or two credits during the eight-week term.

If a student completes two four-week sessions, they can receive a total of $500 which equates to $250 for each four-week term.

The maximum Assistance Grant that a student can receive is $500.

The grant will be applied to the student's account upon completion of the appropriate payrolls and determination made confirming the labor and academic requirements have been fulfilled.

By the end of each term, a student must pay down their account to the amount of the grant for which they are applying.

If a student doesn't fulfill the requirements to receive the grant, then their student account must be paid by August 10.

If a student doesn't receive the grant, they may apply for a loan through the Student Financial Aid Services Office (SFAS) which will determine if there is eligibility for a loan. Applications for a loan must be filed with SFAS by August 1.

Labor Overloads

A labor overload is defined as more than 15 hours of labor per week during the regular academic year. Overloads may not be approved retroactively and are subject to periodic review. Approval may be revoked if primary labor hours, labor performance, or academic performance become less than satisfactory. Forms may be secured in the Student Service Center, or Labor Program Office, and should be submitted to Financial Aid for preliminary review. Labor overloads may be continued from term to term within an academic year, provided that the approval guidelines can still be met. The form will specify approval for the Academic Year, Fall or Spring Term. Student records will be reviewed mid-year and students will be notified if the overload is discontinued. Students may work up to 20 hours during January’s short term without special approval.

Guidelines for Approval:

Sophomore, junior, or senior classification

Meeting Labor Program requirements in the primary position

Not on any form of probation

Enrolled in less than 5 course credits with less than 8 preparations (fall and spring terms only)

Have a 2.50 GPA, both cumulative and for the previous full term; the required 2.50 cumulative GPA may be waived if a 3.00 GPA is earned during the previous full term.

Requests for over 20 hours are subject to the following additional guidelines:

Junior or senior classification

3.00 GPA in the major, overall, and for the previous term

Submission of a letter outlining the reason for requesting more than 20 hours

Approval of the Dean of Labor and the Student Admissions and Academic Standing Committee.

These approval guidelines may be waived in cases where student parents must work 20 hours per week in order to receive state childcare benefits (e.g., KTAP), but the application must still be submitted and reviewed.

During periods of non-enrollment (vacation periods, summer practicum), hours must not exceed 40 per week.

First-Year Labor Assignments

First year students are defined as freshmen, International, Exchange, and transfer students. In other words, any student who is attending Berea College for the first time.

All first-year students are assigned WLS level 1, ten-hour positions, which they will hold until the end of the first academic year. At the conclusion of the first year, and each year thereafter, students are charged with securing their own position placements. Academic studies and work through the Labor Program are the primary concern of students attending Berea College and constitute a full-time load. Accordingly, work outside the Labor Program on a regular basis while enrolled as a student is not permitted without the approval of Dean of Labor or his designate in consultation with appropriate academic and financial-aid officials.

Exchange, Part-Time, and Non-Degree Students

Exchange students are required to participate fully in the Labor Program. Part-time students are required to participate, but a reduction in hours may be approved by the Dean of Labor depending on the circumstances. Non-degree students are permitted to participate in the College’s Labor Program provided funding is available and all degree-seeking students have been assigned.

Last Day to Release from a Labor Position

Signing a primary position status form obligates a student to remain in a labor position for the entire academic year, for the summer term, or, in the case of a December graduate, for the fall term. Should a student holding a Sophomore- Senior classification petition for an early release due to special circumstances, the labor supervisor of the primary position may consider and approve the request for a release on or before the last day to drop a class without a “W” appearing on the transcript. (This dates occurs one week after the first day of class in Fall and Spring terms and earlier in Summer One and Summer Two terms. Please refer to the academic calendar for the official dates.)

Primary supervisors are not obligated to approve a student’s request for release. Rare exceptions may be considered after this deadline and will require approval from the Labor Program Office. The current primary supervisor must complete a “Change of Labor Position Request Form” and submit it to the Labor Program Office, Hafer-Gibson, for review. Note: First Year Students are assigned to a labor position for an entire academic year and may not be released from any position without approval from the Labor Program Office.

Readmitted Students and Students Returning from Leave of Absence

Students returning to Berea College following a Leave of Absence usually secure their own assignment for the upcoming term. As well, readmit students are responsible for locating their own assignment unless notified otherwise prior to the student's arrival.

Resume Design and Usage

Beginning with their S.O.A.R. profile, students are encouraged to draft a resume before they arrive on campus. This task provides a framework to build upon in the future, familiarizes students with content and language, and identifies areas that will need development over the next few years. The Office of Career Development provides resume and cover letter-writing tips, samples and formats, and activities designed to identify content (e.g., skills and experience). Resume counseling sessions will provide students with what should and should not be included in a resume and demonstrates the best ways to highlight a student’s talents. A well design resume, while enrolled at Berea College, can be beneficial in securing an on campus position, off-campus internship, or a off-campus summer job.

Individual and group consultations are available on this important topic, and faculty and staff are encouraged to seek information so that they can better assist students in articulating what they’ve learned through their classes, work and co-curricular activities.

Secondary Positions

All students are required to fulfill their labor obligations through a primary labor assignment. Those who wish to pursue additional opportunities- out of interest or financial need- may seek a secondary position. Secondary positions are generally reserved for intermittent work and range from 0-5 hours per week, with some extending to 10 hours. Opportunities depend upon department allocations, and students must seek overload approval if they desire more than 15 hours per week.

Secondary labor positions require the approval of the primary labor supervisor, who may decline if there is a concern about the student’s position performance or about potential scheduling conflicts (approval may later be revoked if such issues arise). Secondary positions must not take priority over the primary labor assignment. As well, secondary hours are not factored into the basic labor hours requirement.

Typically, first year students are not normally permitted to hold secondary positions during their first term to ensure focus on academic and primary labor requirements during this time of transition. Exceptions include those cases where students must work a set number of hours to qualify for social services.

If a student fails to go through appropriate administrative channels to seek an approval for labor overload, the Labor Program and Student Payments Office may terminated the secondary position if the student continually works over the appropriate number of hours per week and fails to heed administrative requests.

Off-Campus Agreements (Community Partnerships)

In the past, some local agencies have had long-standing relationships with the Labor Program and Student Payroll Office to provide primary work assignments during the academic year (e.g., Save the Children, MACED). These agencies are treated like any other department in the way that they secure allocations, fill positions, compensate and evaluate students. Students are paid through the Labor Program and Student Payment Office, but agencies must reimburse the College for the scholarship payments unless a prior arrangement has been made.

In very special cases, students may approach the Labor Program and Student Payments Office to develop a one-time agreement with an off-campus agency. These agreements are made very sparingly and are typically with non-profit agencies directly associated with the student’s intended major.

Due to the complexity of establishing off-campus agreements and the need for positions within the campus community, Berea College has decided to decrease the number of community partnerships.